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Leslie Morse (USA) and Kingson

Kingston, ridden by Leslie Morse, was eliminated from the Rolex FEI World Cup Grand Prix today, after becoming unsound during the beginning of his dressage test.

USEF Dressage veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell has had Kingston under his care since the horse arrived in Las Vegas on Monday, April 13.

Kingston had been training well and looked very much on form in Wednesday's training session in the main arena. Dr. Mitchell, in his typical routine at a horse show with the US horses, observed Kingston in the warm-up and then went to the arena to watch Morse's fellow American Jan Ebeling.

When Kingston began his test it was clear that he had some discomfort in the left front leg, something that was a surprise to all connected with the horse, as he has had no problems in this leg during the preparation for this competition.

"I had the most powerful amazing ride yesterday," said Morse. "It felt like eight or nine years of togetherness had come together to such a fun time. Today in the warm-up he started where he left off yesterday, I could tell in the first corner, he felt unbalanced and I knew he wasn't right. We respect the Ground Jury's decision to ring the bell and we all agreed it was absolutely in the best interest of the horse which is always the most important consideration. Kingston has just been a gift for the last nine years and has introduced me to this level of competition."

"We need to further examine Kingston to determine the nature and extent of the injury," said Dr. Mitchell. "Everyone is devastated for Leslie and the horse."